LG to launch new smartphone G5 in Barcelona this month

LG Electronics is set to launch its new smartphone, the flagship G5, on Feb. 21 this month at Barcelona’s Mobile World Congress, or MWC, the company announced Thursday.

The South Korean multinational sent out invites to the media for the event titled LG G5 Day, which will take place at the Sant Jordi Club in Barcelona.

Although the company is yet to reveal details of its new premium smartphone, South Korean experts note it could represent an important qualitative leap compared to its predecessor G4, which received a lukewarm response in markets across the world.

The new gadget is expected to replace the earlier leatherbound body for a metal one in keeping with market trends, as well as incorporate a fingerprint scanner and dual camera.

LG’s new phone will be in direct competition with the popular iPhone 6S before Apple comes out with a new model, as well as the new Samsung Galaxy S7 which will also be launched at the MWC in the Spanish city.

G5 is LG’s main product in the mobile phone sector through which the company is looking to reverse its complex financial situation, after profits remained below market expectations in 2015 with losses recorded in the fourth quarter.